The Human Side of Digital Transformation - Jenn Azar - Shift & Thrive - Episode # 003

Shift & Thrive: CEO Insights on Driving Change

Our special guest today is Jenn Azar, the CEO of The Stellix Group and the President of NECI. She is a visionary leader in life sciences, energy, and industrial manufacturing. In this weeks episode, Jenn delves into how she and her team has driven major business transformation in her company.

Furthermore, she discusses the importance of involving employees in organizational changes, measuring and adapting to cultural shifts, and balancing short-term and long-term goals amidst rapid technological advancements.

Jenn also shares insights from her 24-year journey in the industry, emphasizing the need for continuous learning, taking risks, and celebrating small wins. Listen in to learn about the complex challenges and innovative strides in transforming both internal processes and client solutions.

Takeaways:

• Involve the entire organization in transformation initiatives. Effective change requires more than strong leadership and strategic communication; it's about engaging employees at all levels, ensuring they understand their roles and contributions towards the organization’s goals.
• Recognizing the human aspect of transformation is crucial. A culture that embraces adaptability and empathy towards slower adapters will foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for change.
• Transformation is rarely linear; being adaptable and continuously measuring progress allows for timely course corrections, ensuring the organization can pivot as needed.
• Transformation is a system that requires alignment of people, processes, and technology, necessitating continuous reinforcement and a strong feedback loop to ensure understanding and buy-in across the company.
• Creating an atmosphere where it’s okay to make mistakes encourages risk-taking and innovation, leading to better outcomes and a resilient organizational culture.
• Embrace iterative processes in transformative initiatives. Applying processes like the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) can provide structure, but be flexible in applying such frameworks to ensure they accommodate the dynamic nature of transformation.
• Recognize that different parts of the business may be at different stages of transformation and growth. Tailoring strategies and approaches to fit the unique needs of each segment or brand can lead to more effective and cohesive transformation efforts.

Quote of the Show:

• “Transformation is a system and you need to make sure people, process and technology are aligned.” - Jenn Azar

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennazar
• NECI Website: https://www.neci.com
• The Stellix Group Website: https://stellix.com
• KYNOTA Website: https://www.kynota.com
• ZAETHER Website: https://www.zaether.com

Shoutouts:

• Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business (Book Link): https://a.co/d/b7NnOn2
• Vistage: https://www.vistage.com

Ways to Tune In:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2D1YbT2QhKxIwbREpU7EMb
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change/id1740828813
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fa60b654-1955-4055-93df-fdd40c2a5c8f/shift-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-shift-thrive-ceo-insights-166792501
• Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/shift-and-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change/PC:1001086797
• YouTube: https://youtu.be/lzX7Sr6p3_k

This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.

Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com